Swords Masterplan - Fingal County Council

include the site boundary treatment, the new landscape edge to the R132, the
avenues and streetscapes with arcades and walkways traversing and linking the
indoor and outdoor spaces of the development. Urban squares, roof gardens and
a civic park provides open spaces of varying sizes along the pedestrian axis
connecting the southern end of the site with the new Metro Stop.
The landscape strategy in relation to the Barrysparks boundary areas is as follows:
All existing vegetation is to be retained where appropriate unless it is assessed
and shown to be unsafe, diseased or of no long term amenity value. This
established vegetation forms an important source of food and shelter for fauna
and is indispensable for maintaining flora and fauna density.
● Existing Vegetation
The existing vegetation pattern is to be enhanced where suitable and new
planting to consist of predominantly existing/native species to retain the
local landscape identity and sense of place, its character and distinctiveness
wherever possible. It will thus remain as a predominantly linear landscape,
with elements of varying width.
● Views and Vistas
Opportunities for views in and out of the site may be desirable locally and
the boundary planting will be either low or non existent to allow interesting
or attractive views of the surrounding area. Conversely, the width may
increase and a high content of evergreen species be introduced to maximise
all year screening and minimise nuisances such as views to loading or
storage areas, car parking etc.
● New planting
The aspect of new planting facing the development gives the opportunity to
improve the environment by increasing soft landscaping areas, species
diversity and improve the reproductive capacity of an ecosystem.
The quantity of soft landscaping will decrease when moving from the site
boundary towards the more urban areas. The civic park will be an exception. At
roof level the landscape impact is high due to the extent of proposed green roofs.
S W O R D S M A S T E R P L A N
The landscape strategy in relation to the Barrysparks development area is as follows:
● Avenues (north-south)
The north-south aligned avenues are lined with rows of trees on both sides
creating visually strong, formal and linear elements of a simple and striking
architectural appearance appropriate for the speed of traffic. The tree
species is limited to one or maximum two species for coherency and
continuity creating a strong identity throughout the site. The row of trees
will be interrupted by site accesses and visibility splays etc., and where
unobstructed views are desired.
A band of low ground cover in the verge separates the combined foot/cycle
path from vehicular traffic thus providing a safer and more attractive
experience when using the road network. An intermittent band of low
ornamental planting or low hedging beneath the avenue trees will allow
pedestrian movement between footpaths and pedestrian access points
along building façades etc.
● Streets (mainly east-west and including the north-south central
pedestrian axis)
These streets experience a higher volume of pedestrians and give fewer
opportunities for soft landscaping. Therefore a carefully selected palette of
high quality paving materials and street furniture will be chosen to ensure
continuity, visual calmness and coherency throughout. Preference will be
given to sustainable materials.
Selected streets allow limited access for cars and/or buses facilitating
access to these parts and spaces at all times.
The streets form an essential part of the extensive pedestrian and cyclist
network which will help to successfully integrate the development with the
surroundings and encourage an influx of people to the outdoor and indoor
amenities.
● Main Square
Main Square is the largest open hard landscaped space and will be used as
a central meeting and resting place. It may also be used for seasonal
events like Christmas fairs, skating rink, farmers market or similar.
● Civic Park
As part of the infrastructure contract a large open public space will be
constructed. It is located south of the MC Zone Lands around the central
axis of the development.
The existing streams are to be retained wherever possible as open
watercourses in accordance with SUDS principles and form part of the over
ground attenuation ponds. They will add character and diversity to the
character of the civic park.
An extensive pedestrian and cyclist network links the civic park to surrounding
developments, residential areas, Metro North and Swords city centre.
● Green Roofs
The proposal for large scale units adjacent to Metro North maximise the
opportunity for green roof technology promoting long-term sustainability.
They form an essential part of the SUDS designs and add ecological,
aesthetic and amenity advantages in addition to reducing the volume of
runoff and attenuating peak flows.
Consideration will be given to the climate and potentially harsh exposed
growing conditions. Hardy plant species will be selected.
The types of green roofs range from intensive to extensive with no access to
extensive areas.
9 7
ELEMENTS, MATERIALS AND EXPRESSION
STREET: SPACE, APPEARANCE AND USAGE
● Artwork – A series of artwork and bespoke urban elements, such as
seating, lighting and paving patterns will be used at appropriate locations.
● Lighting – Lighting shall be used as an integral design element while also
acting as a functional safety installation.
● Uncluttered and Uninterrupted – Provision of an unfussy floor plane that
responds to the street type requirements, while at the same time providing
seating and relaxation/ outdoor dining functions. In this manner, patterns of
usage are considered and catered for.
● Vista and Termination – Consideration will be given to the provision of a
green terminus in the form of tree nodes and views to green areas to the
boundary.
MATERIAL CONTINUITY
● The continuation of a uniform quality paving material shall provide an
apparent extension and integration of the future development into the existing
urban fabric. A key factor for the integration of the development shall be the
similarity/matching of the external and internal landscape element.
A selection of lighting shall form a continuous appearance around the
boundary of the site, while also marking the primary street connections.
Specimen Tree selection: The continuity of tree form and appearance shall
provide a legible boundary along the R132. Tree selection at the Metro
Quarter will be more urban in character (see section 7.0 Metro Quarter).
UPPER REALM RESIDENTIAL LANDSCAPE STRATEGY
● To achieve the appearance of a balanced and proportional landscape
treatment to the roof terrace levels, it is critical that there is a sufficient
layering of planted material and build-up to allow for the installation of
large tree species and associated planting.
● To achieve the build-up and planting depth for the upper realm, landscape
is carefully coordinated with the engineering requirements to take into
consideration the loading, drainage and irrigation issues. The availability of
an interstitial layer at below the residential levels allows for the
development of a much more dynamic and proportioned landscape
treatment than a standard ‘loaded’ roof terrace.
● The residential roof plan will allow the opportunity for a sequence of
interconnected spaces. It is intended that these landscaped areas are visible
from street level and add to the character and animation of the streetscape.
● A selection of spatial requirements is included within the confines of the
upper realm levels. Semi public play area, barbeque and outdoor eating
areas, green space and shelter/screen planting are combined to create an
animated living environment.